Follow Us!

OMC’s school crossing guard retires after 34 years

Peggy Hendrie holds flowers and a card given to her by students from Our Mother of Consolation Parish School. Hendrie retired as a crossing guard after 34 years on Sept. 6. The card was created by the art teacher Liz Lasek and signed by the students, who are (from left) Maggie Amuso, Sara Murray, Naomi Bethel, Dominique Bethel, Zuri Peyton, Alex Sislo and Donovan Hanley-Jones.

by Sue Ann Rybak

Through sweltering heat and pelting rain, Peggy Hendrie stood at the corner of Germantown and Chestnut Hill avenues for 34 years, crossing children safely to the other side of the street. Hendrie was more than a crossing guard to students, parents and staff of Our Mother of Consolation Parish School, 17 E. Chestnut Hill Ave. – she was a guardian angel.

The Rev. Bob Bazzoli, O.S.F.S., OMC’s pastor, described her as a “great woman” whose “presence brought a sense of security to our children and people in the neighborhood during the most chaotic times of the day.”

Bazzoli said Hendrie’s natural ability to handle tense situations with her great sense of humor and genuine love for the community enabled her to connect with the students and parents of OMC.

OMC principal Bruce Hagy said Hendrie served as a crossing guard faithfully everyday.

“Hendrie’s role has been vital to the safety of scores of school children over the past three decades,” Hagy said. “In my 27 years at OMC, I can think of no instance where a child was in harm’s way with Mrs. Hendrie at the post. We owe her many, many thanks.”

There is no doubt that Hendrie will be greatly missed. Alex Sislo, an eighth-grader at OMC, describes Hendrie as “dedicated, involved and caring.”

When he was asked what favorite memory of Hendrie was, he replied,“I don’t have a favorite moment for my favorite moments with Mrs. Hendrie were, after a long day, coming to the corner and seeing her happy face – it would always brighten the rest of my day. She will always be a symbol of OMC.”

7 p.m. Mt. Airy Arts Performing Center, 230 East Gowen Ave. Behind Grace Epiphany Church All classes are Free for the trial period, but a donation $3 to $5 is suggested per session for the teacher.[...]